During the April 24 regularly scheduled council meeting, Mountain View County councillors approved the terms of reference for a new multi-stakeholder aggregate extraction and processing committee.
The committee is being formed to “create a consistent and orderly method in processing each application” for gravel pits and “to create a more streamlined process when handling files from pre-application consultation and initial submission of the application to meeting conditions approved on the development permit,” council heard.
The committee will be composed of three council members, three industry members and three public members, all appointed by MVC council.
The committee's role is to ensure that “an open public consultation process is followed”, “collaborate with council, public and staff to ensure stakeholder input and to review information”, “provide regular progress reports to council” and “present amendments to the application process to council for consideration.”
The new terms of reference include the following: “Committee membership provides a unique and important opportunity for council, industry members and residents of Mountain View County to become involved in formulating a vision and direction when dealing with development permit applications for aggregate extraction within the county.”
The committee should also explore ways of minimizing the impact of gravel pit operations on neighbouring properties and residents, said councillor Al Kemmere.
A public hearing into proposed amendments to the Mountain View County land use bylaw that would add a new land use district titled “aggregate extraction/processing district” is scheduled to resume in August.
The aggregate extraction/processing district would accommodate the use for anything that is “mined”, which includes sands, gravel, peat, clay, shale and stone.
“One significant benefit of having a separate district for aggregate extraction would be the opportunity for the public and council to participate in the redesignation process through the public hearing process,” said MVC director of planning John Rusling.
The new committee could provide input to council about the proposed amendments prior to the public hearing resuming on Aug. 14.
Meanwhile, the Alberta Association of Municipal Districts and Counties, which represents rural municipalities, including MVC, has launched its own province-wide gravel study.
The study will look at issues surrounding future gravel pit development.
